Adjustable light apparatus

ABSTRACT

An adjustable light apparatus includes a first light source, a second light source, a control circuit and a tuning circuit. The first light source and the second light source have different optical characteristic. For example, the first light source and the second light source have different color temperatures. The control circuit is coupled to the first light source and the second light source to separately turning on or turning off the first light source and the second light source according to control signals supplied by the tuning circuit.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is related to an adjustable light apparatus andmore particularly related to a signal driven adjustable light apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Light apparatuses are widely used in human life. With the current LED(Light Emitted Diode) technologies, light apparatuses have much betterpower efficiency and stability compared with past light technology.

Nevertheless, light source is critical to provide living quality of anenvironment. Specifically, for different applications and differentenvironment, different light requirements may be needed to optimize thelight performance. Therefore, it is always important and helpful todiscover new needs and find a novel technology solution to solve itstechnical problems.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides various embodiments of adjustable lightapparatuses. In first embodiment, an adjustable light apparatus includesa first light source, a second light source, a control circuit and atuning circuit. The first light source and the second light source havedifferent optical characteristic. For example, the first light sourceand the second light source have different color temperatures. Thecontrol circuit is coupled to the first light source and the secondlight source to separately turning on or turning off the first lightsource and the second light source according to control signals suppliedby the tuning circuit.

Specifically, the control circuit is coupled to the first light sourceand the second light source. The control circuit has a first controlgate and a second control gate respectively connected to a first powersource and a second power source. The first power source supplies powerto the first light source when the first control gate is turned on. Thesecond power source supplies power to the second light source when thesecond control gate is turned on. The tuning circuit have multiplesettings corresponding to different duty cycles for turning on andturning off the first control gate and the second control gate togenerate different mixing optical characteristic of the first lightsource and the second light source.

Please be noted that the first power source and the second power sourcemay be two distinct power sources but may also refer to two parts of onephysical power source. In addition, the first power source and thesecond power source may even be referred to the same power source. Inone embodiment, for example, the first light source and the second lightsource are not turned on at the same time. In other words, for anymoment, only one light source is turned on and therefore a single powersource may be used as the first power source and the second power sourcealternatingly.

In one embodiment, the first light source and the second light sourceare LED (Light Emitted Diode) modules, e.g. a LED chip or a module withmultiple LED chips. The first light source and second light source mayhave different color temperatures. By adjusting the turn-on to turn-offratio of the first light source corresponding to the second light sourcetherefore may change the visual effect of mixing color temperature.Color mixing may also be used with the technical solutions mentioned inthis disclosure.

In one embodiments, the first light source and the second light sourcerespectively have multiple LED modules arranged with an interlacedpattern to each other so that when the first light source and the secondlight source may provide a more stable mixing effect.

In one embodiment, the first control gate and the second control gateare MOSFET switches respectively receiving a first control signal and asecond control signal from the tuning circuit to turn on or to turn offthe first light source and the second light source.

In one embodiment, when the first light source is turned on, the secondlight source is turned off. In addition, when the second light source isturned on the first light source is turned off.

In one embodiment, the first control signal and the second controlsignal are PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signals provided by the tuningcircuit. PWM, or pulse-duration modulation (PDM), is a modulationtechnique used to encode a message into a pulsing signal. The PWM signalis a series of pulses. For each pulse (i.e., each period or cycle), thepulse includes a portion of “high” signal and a portion of “low” signal.In one embodiment, the time period may be 1/1000 second between twoconsecutive high levels of the PWM signal.

In PWM case, the first control signal may refer the high level asturn-on while the second control signal may refer the low level asturn-on. In addition, the first control signal may refer the low levelas turn-off while the second control signal may refer the high level asturn-off. By disposing an inverter or related circuit, the first controlsignal and the second control signal may have the same signal source,e.g. a PWM signal. Please be noted, however, such configuration is onlyone of the methods to implement the present invention and therefore, thepresent invention is not limited by such implementation.

In one embodiment, there are more than three settings, each settingcorresponding to a different duty cycle with different turn-on byturn-off ratios for the first control signal and the second controlsignal. For example, the tuning circuit has a switch selectivelyconnected to one of five resistors to construct one of five selectiveelectrical signal values to generate a corresponding PWM signal fromfive options to control the first light source and the second lightsource. In such example, there are five settings, which means the firstlight source and the second light source may be controlled to generatefive different optical characteristics, e.g. five different colortemperatures.

In some other embodiments, the tuning of the setting may be continuous,instead of selection from several discrete options. For example, adimmer, e.g. along with an adjustable resistor, may be used to generatea corresponding voltage provided to a PWM generator to generate anassociated PWM signal over a continuous range.

In one embodiment, the adjustable light apparatus may include anoperation switch sending a tuning operation of a user to the tuningcircuit to change the mixing optical characteristic of the first lightsource and the second light source. For example, a dimmer that isoperable by a user may be used to select a setting, and the dimmer, likea rotatable button, may be connected to the tuning circuit to change thesetting of driving the first light source and the second light source.

In addition to the first light source and the second light source, inother embodiments, there may be other light sources disposed. Forexample, a third light source, or even more, may be disposed along withthe first light source and the second light source. In such case, thefirst light source, the second light source, and the third light sourcemay have different color temperatures. Under different settings, thefirst light source, the second light source and the third light sourcemay be turned sequentially with different time period ratios to generatea different overall color temperature.

In one embodiment, the adjustable light apparatus has a downlighthousing for disposing the first light source, the second light source,the control circuit and the tuning circuit. Such downlight housing mayinclude a reflector, a heat sink, a driver circuit, and othercorresponding components to be installed on a ceiling cavity. On suchhousing, there may be a mechanic switch, e.g. an adjustable lever, for auser to slide to set a corresponding setting for generating a differentoptical characteristic, e.g. a different color temperature. Suchmechanic switch may be combined with associated components to instructthe tuning circuit to change the settings of the tuning circuit.

In one embodiment, the adjustable light apparatus has a wireless circuitconnected to the tuning circuit for receiving a control instruction froman external device to change the setting of the tuning circuit. Forexample, a user may use a Wi-Fi device or a Bluetooth device on a mobilephone to send a control signal to the wireless circuit of the adjustablelight apparatus to control the tuning circuit to change a desiredsetting to get a desired overall optical characteristic of theadjustable light apparatus.

In one embodiment, the tuning circuit and the control circuit areintegrated in an integrated chip mounted on a circuit board connected toa heat sink. These circuits may generate massive heat and sucharrangement may help lengthen the life span and increase systemliability.

As mentioned above, there may be more than one optical characteristic tobe mixed. For example, the optical characteristic may include colorspectrum distribution. In other words, the first light source and thesecond light source may emit different light colors. By adjusting theirturn-on and turn-off ratio may be used to generate a different coloreffect. In addition to color, luminance strength may also be a factor tobe adjusted. For example, the first light source and the second lightsource may have different luminance levels, e.g. one emits brighter andconsumes more power than the other. By adjusting to different settings,users may easily get the desired light effect they need.

In one embodiment, the turn-on periods of the first light source and thesecond light source are partially overlapped. In such case, the firstlight source and the second light source may have a common turn-onperiod instead of a strict alternating pattern. Such design may increasea better visual effect. In such design, certain capacitor may be used tostore the increased power source to keep the overall power source notvarying too much.

In one embodiment, there may be a time gap between turn-on periods ofthe first light source and the second light source. For example, whenthe first light source is turned off, there is a time gap before thesecond light source is turned on. Such time gap may help keep the powersource stable, avoiding undesired peak to damage the power circuit.

In one embodiment, the settings are stored in a table of the tuningcircuit and the table is adjustable. For example, the tuning circuit hasa corresponding memory unit for storing optional values of the settings.A designer may change the values of the memory unit to change adifferent value. In such design, a common configuration may have betterflexibility. For example, light apparatuses sold to different regions,having different needs and requirements, may use the same hardwaresettings but loaded with different setting values.

In one embodiment, the first light source and the second light sourcemay not need to be always turned on and then turn off sequentially. Forexample, the first light source may be kept turned on. By changing theturn-on periods of the second light source, the overall opticalcharacteristic, like color temperature, may still be adjusted underdifferent settings.

In one embodiment, when one of the first light source and the secondlight source is damaged, the other light source may be kept turned on.In other words, the other light source may be used a redundant backupsolution even when one light source is damaged. In such design, anoperable switch or an automatic sensor may be used for the tuningcircuit to operate under predetermined circuit logic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of circuit structure of a first embodimentof an adjustable light apparatus.

FIG. 2 illustrates a control timing diagram in a preferred embodimentusing PWM.

FIG. 3 illustrates a switch for providing five settings in an adjustablelight apparatus.

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial circuit diagram for implementing thecontrol and power supply functions.

FIG. 5 illustrates three different settings under PWN signals.

FIG. 6 illustrates a downlight embodiment that is adjustable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Please refer to FIG. 1, which illustrates an adjustable light apparatusembodiment. In FIG. 1, the adjustable light apparatus includes a firstlight source 101, a second light source 102, a control circuit and atuning circuit 13. The first light source 101 and the second lightsource 102 have different optical characteristic. For example, the firstlight source 101 and the second light source 102 have different colortemperatures. The control circuit is coupled to the first light source101 and the second light source 102 to separately turning on or turningoff the first light source 101 and the second light source 102 accordingto control signals supplied by the tuning circuit 13.

Specifically, the control circuit is coupled to the first light source101 and the second light source 102. The control circuit has a firstcontrol gate 111 and a second control gate 112 respectively connected toa first power source 121 and a second power source 122. The first powersource 121 supplies power to the first light source 101 when the firstcontrol gate 111 is turned on. The second power source 122 suppliespower to the second light source 102 when the second control gate 112 isturned on. The tuning circuit 13 have multiple settings corresponding todifferent duty cycles for turning on and turning off the first controlgate 111 and the second control gate 112 to generate different mixingoptical characteristic of the first light source and the second lightsource.

Please refer to FIG. 2, which illustrates control timing diagram via aPWM approach. PWM, or pulse-duration modulation (PDM), is a modulationtechnique used to encode a message into a pulsing signal. The PWM signalis a series of pulses. For each pulse (i.e., each period or cycle), thepulse includes a portion of “high” signal and a portion of “low” signal.In one embodiment, the time period may be 1/1000 second between twoconsecutive high levels of the PWM signal.

In FIG. 2, the PWM signal 210 is a square wave with a time period 201.The PWM signal has a high level 212 and a low level 211, with respect toelectrical voltage level. The PWM signal 210 is used for generating afirst control signal 230 and a second control signal 240. The firstcontrol signal 230 is used for turning on and turning off the firstlight source. The second control signal 240 is used for turning on andturning off the second light source. It is indicated in FIG. 2 that whenthe PWM signal 210 is at high level 210, the first control signal 230sends a turn-on signal 232 to turn on the first light source. When thePWM signal 210 is at low level 211, the first control signal 230 sends aturn-off signal 231 to the first light source to turn off the firstlight source. On the other hand, when the PWM signal 210 is at highlevel 210, the second control signal 240 sends a turn-off signal 242 toturn off the second light source. When the PWM signal 210 is at lowlevel 211, the second control signal 240 sends a turn-on signal 241 tothe second light source to turn on the second light source.

Please be noted that the first power source and the second power sourcemay be two distinct power sources but may also refer to two parts of onephysical power source. In addition, the first power source and thesecond power source may even be referred to the same power source. Inone embodiment, for example, the first light source and the second lightsource are not turned on at the same time. In other words, for anymoment, only one light source is turned on and therefore a single powersource may be used as the first power source and the second power sourcealternatingly.

In one embodiment, the first light source and the second light sourceare LED (Light Emitted Diode) modules, e.g. a LED chip or a module withmultiple LED chips. The first light source and second light source mayhave different color temperatures. By adjusting the turn-on to turn-offratio of the first light source corresponding to the second light sourcetherefore may change the visual effect of mixing color temperature.Color mixing may also be used with the technical solutions mentioned inthis disclosure.

In one embodiments, the first light source and the second light sourcerespectively have multiple LED modules arranged with an interlacedpattern to each other so that when the first light source and the secondlight source may provide a more stable mixing effect.

In one embodiment, the first control gate and the second control gateare MOSFET switches respectively receiving a first control signal and asecond control signal from the tuning circuit to turn on or to turn offthe first light source and the second light source.

In one embodiment, when the first light source is turned on, the secondlight source is turned off. In addition, when the second light source isturned on the first light source is turned off.

In one embodiment, the first control signal and the second controlsignal are PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signals provided by the tuningcircuit.

In PWM case, the first control signal may refer the high level asturn-on while the second control signal may refer the low level asturn-on. In addition, the first control signal may refer the low levelas turn-off while the second control signal may refer the high level asturn-off. By disposing an inverter or related circuit, the first controlsignal and the second control signal may have the same signal source,e.g. a PWM signal. Please be noted, however, such configuration is onlyone of the methods to implement the present invention and therefore, thepresent invention is not limited by such implementation.

In one embodiment, there are more than three settings, each settingcorresponding to a different duty cycle with different turn-on byturn-off ratios for the first control signal and the second controlsignal. For example, the tuning circuit has a switch selectivelyconnected to one of five resistors to construct one of five selectiveelectrical signal values to generate a corresponding PWM signal fromfive options to control the first light source and the second lightsource. In such example, there are five settings, which means the firstlight source and the second light source may be controlled to generatefive different optical characteristics, e.g. five different colortemperatures.

Please refer to FIG. 3, which illustrates a portion of a driving circuitin a light apparatus. Since persons of ordinary skilled in the art knowhow to implement a common light apparatus driver, common circuits arenot mentioned here for simplicity.

In FIG. 3, the switch 31, which may be a digital or a mechanical devicefor selectively connecting to five different resistors 301, 302, 303,304, 305 to generate different signal value to supply to a tuningcircuit 32.

FIG. 4 illustrates a circuit example, not to limit the present inventionbut used for explaining at least one way to implement the inventiveconcept.

In FIG. 4, several passive components 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406 areused together with two MOSFET gates 41 and 42. The two MOSFET gates 41,42 receives two control signals 411, 421, as mentioned above to turn onor turn off power source to a first light source and a second lightsource. In FIG. 4, the nodes 431, 432 are selectively connected to 433to select one of the first light source and the second light source toget power supply to turn on. The circuits in FIG. 4 is further connectedto other portion of a driver circuit 45 to complete the drivingfunction.

Please refer to FIG. 5, which illustrate three settings in a PWM drivenexample of an adjustable light apparatus.

In FIG. 5, three PWM signals 501, 502, 503 having different high levelto low level ratios. As mentioned above, such settings may causedifferent turn-on ratios between the first light source and the secondlight source.

Please be noted that the example is not used to limit the presentinvention. Persons of ordinary skilled in the art may amend the designfor implementing the present invention. For example, turn-on andturn-off switching between the first light source and the second lightsource may depend on rising and falling edges of a periodic signal.Alternatively, the numbers of a periodic wave may be allocatedrespectively to turn on the first light source and the second lightsource. Specifically in such example, two high levels may be allocatedto turn on the first light source while another consecutive four highlevels may be allocated to turn on the second light source. Othervariations, under such teaching, are supposed to be understood andenabling for persons of ordinary skilled in the art.

In some other embodiments, the tuning of the setting may be continuous,instead of selection from several discrete options. For example, adimmer, e.g. along with an adjustable resistor, may be used to generatea corresponding voltage provided to a PWM generator to generate anassociated PWM signal over a continuous range.

In one embodiment, the adjustable light apparatus may include anoperation switch sending a tuning operation of a user to the tuningcircuit to change the mixing optical characteristic of the first lightsource and the second light source. For example, a dimmer that isoperable by a user may be used to select a setting, and the dimmer, likea rotatable button, may be connected to the tuning circuit to change thesetting of driving the first light source and the second light source.

In addition to the first light source and the second light source, inother embodiments, there may be other light sources disposed. Forexample, a third light source, or even more, may be disposed along withthe first light source and the second light source. In such case, thefirst light source, the second light source, and the third light sourcemay have different color temperatures. Under different settings, thefirst light source, the second light source and the third light sourcemay be turned sequentially with different time period ratios to generatea different overall color temperature.

In one embodiment, the adjustable light apparatus has a downlighthousing for disposing the first light source, the second light source,the control circuit and the tuning circuit. Such downlight housing mayinclude a reflector, a heat sink, a driver circuit, and othercorresponding components to be installed on a ceiling cavity. On suchhousing, there may be a mechanic switch, e.g. an adjustable lever, for auser to slide to set a corresponding setting for generating a differentoptical characteristic, e.g. a different color temperature. Suchmechanic switch may be combined with associated components to instructthe tuning circuit to change the settings of the tuning circuit.

Please refer to FIG. 6, which illustrates a downlight device as anembodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, a lever 631 may be movedby a user to change the setting of the tuning circuit 62 to change howto switch between a first light source 631 and a second light source632.

In one embodiment, the adjustable light apparatus has a wireless circuitconnected to the tuning circuit for receiving a control instruction froman external device to change the setting of the tuning circuit. Forexample, a user may use a Wi-Fi device or a Bluetooth device on a mobilephone to send a control signal to the wireless circuit of the adjustablelight apparatus to control the tuning circuit to change a desiredsetting to get a desired overall optical characteristic of theadjustable light apparatus.

In one embodiment, the tuning circuit and the control circuit areintegrated in an integrated chip mounted on a circuit board connected toa heat sink. These circuits may generate massive heat and sucharrangement may help lengthen the life span and increase systemliability.

As mentioned above, there may be more than one optical characteristic tobe mixed. For example, the optical characteristic may include colorspectrum distribution. In other words, the first light source and thesecond light source may emit different light colors. By adjusting theirturn-on and turn-off ratio may be used to generate a different coloreffect. In addition to color, luminance strength may also be a factor tobe adjusted. For example, the first light source and the second lightsource may have different luminance levels, e.g. one emits brighter andconsumes more power than the other. By adjusting to different settings,users may easily get the desired light effect they need.

In one embodiment, the turn-on periods of the first light source and thesecond light source are partially overlapped. In such case, the firstlight source and the second light source may have a common turn-onperiod instead of a strict alternating pattern. Such design may increasea better visual effect. In such design, certain capacitor may be used tostore the increased power source to keep the overall power source notvarying too much.

In one embodiment, there may be a time gap between turn-on periods ofthe first light source and the second light source. For example, whenthe first light source is turned off, there is a time gap before thesecond light source is turned on. Such time gap may help keep the powersource stable, avoiding undesired peak to damage the power circuit.

In one embodiment, the settings are stored in a table of the tuningcircuit and the table is adjustable. For example, the tuning circuit hasa corresponding memory unit for storing optional values of the settings.A designer may change the values of the memory unit to change adifferent value. In such design, a common configuration may have betterflexibility. For example, light apparatuses sold to different regions,having different needs and requirements, may use the same hardwaresettings but loaded with different setting values.

In one embodiment, the first light source and the second light sourcemay not need to be always turned on and then turn off sequentially. Forexample, the first light source may be kept turned on. By changing theturn-on periods of the second light source, the overall opticalcharacteristic, like color temperature, may still be adjusted underdifferent settings.

In one embodiment, when one of the first light source and the secondlight source is damaged, the other light source may be kept turned on.In other words, the other light source may be used a redundant backupsolution even when one light source is damaged. In such design, anoperable switch or an automatic sensor may be used for the tuningcircuit to operate under predetermined circuit logic.

In addition to the above-described embodiments, various modificationsmay be made, and as long as it is within the spirit of the sameinvention, the various designs that can be made by those skilled in theart are belong to the scope of the present invention.

1. An adjustable light apparatus, comprising: a first light source; asecond light source, the first light source and the second light sourcehaving different optical characteristic; a control circuit coupled tothe first light source and the second light source, the control circuithaving a first control gate and a second control gate respectivelyconnected to a first power source and a second power source, the firstpower source supplying power to the first light source when the firstcontrol gate being turned on and the second power source supplying powerto the second light source when the second control gate being turned on,wherein the control circuit generates a PWM signal for generating afirst control signal and a second control signal, when the PWM signal isat a high stage, the first control signal is turned on to turn on thefirst control gate and the second control signal is turned off to turnoff the second control gate, when the PWM signal is at low stage, thefirst control signal is turned off to turn off the first control gateand the second control signal is turned on to turn on the second controlgate; and a tuning circuit with multiple settings corresponding todifferent duty cycles for turning on and turning off the first controlgate and the second control gate to generate different mixing opticalcharacteristic of the first light source and the second light source byadjusting a duty ratio of the PWM signal.
 2. The adjustable lightapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first light source and the secondlight source are LED (Light Emitted Diode) modules having differentcolor temperatures.
 3. The adjustable light apparatus of claim 1,wherein the first control gate and the second control gate are MOSFETswitches respectively receiving a first control signal and a secondcontrol signal from the tuning circuit to turn on or to turn off thefirst light source and the second light source.
 4. The adjustable lightapparatus of claim 3, wherein when the first light source is turned on,the second light source is turned off.
 5. The adjustable light apparatusof claim 4, wherein the first control signal and the second controlsignal are PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signals provided by the tuningcircuit.
 6. The adjustable light apparatus of claim 5, wherein there aremore than three settings, each setting corresponding to a different dutycycle with different turn-on by turn-off ratios for the first controlsignal and the second control signal.
 7. The adjustable light apparatusof claim 5, wherein the tuning circuit has a switch for selectivelyconnected to five resistors to change to five different settings forcontrolling the first light source and the second light source.
 8. Theadjustable light apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an operationswitch sending a tuning operation of a user to the tuning circuit tochange the mixing optical characteristic of the first light source andthe second light source.
 9. The adjustable light apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a third light source having a different opticalcharacteristic from the first light source and the second light source.10. The adjustable light apparatus of claim 1, further comprising adownlight housing for disposing the first light source, the second lightsource, the control circuit and the tuning circuit.
 11. The adjustablelight apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a mechanic switchdisposed on the downlight housing to be operated by a user to change thesetting of the tuning circuit.
 12. The adjustable light apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a wireless circuit connected to the tuningcircuit for receiving a control instruction from an external device tochange the setting of the tuning circuit.
 13. The adjustable lightapparatus of claim 1, wherein the tuning circuit and the control circuitare integrated in an integrated chip mounted on a circuit boardconnected to a heat sink.
 14. The adjustable light apparatus of claim 1,wherein the optical characteristic comprises color spectrumdistribution.
 15. The adjustable light apparatus of claim 1, wherein theoptical characteristic comprises luminance.
 16. The adjustable lightapparatus of claim 1, wherein the turn-on periods of the first lightsource and the second light source are partially overlapped.
 17. Theadjustable light apparatus of claim 1, wherein there is a time gapbetween turn-on periods of the first light source and the second lightsource.
 18. The adjustable light apparatus of claim 1, wherein thesettings are stored in a table of the tuning circuit and the table isadjustable.
 19. The adjustable light apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefirst light source is always kept turned on.
 20. The adjustable lightapparatus of claim 1, wherein when one of the first light source and thesecond light source is damaged, the other light source is kept turnedon.